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The New Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia
This essential reference for oenophiles -- long used as the go-to text for the prestigious Master Sommelier examination -- is the most comprehensive guide to the world of wine, featuring authoritative information on the history, culture, geography, and taste of vintages around the globe.
Fully updated and revised for the first time since 2011, this new 800-page edition of Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia reflects the most recent trends in the dynamic world of wine, written by experts around the globe. Beautifully illustrated with more than 400 images and 100 brand-new National Geographic maps, this definitive guide is arranged geographically to highlight the regions and climates that produce the best vintages. From the countries of Southeast Europe to the Eastern Mediterranean, each page is packed with information on flavor notes, vineyard profiles, tasting room guides, grape know-how, and special information on unique varietals. The book also features top wines organized by maker and year; a troubleshooter's guide to potential wine faults; a taste chart to help identify flavors; up-and-coming producers; unusual wines, food pairings, and more. You'll find time lines depicting the chronology of wine from 500 million B.C., expert sommelier tips, and thousands of recommendations for the latest and greatest reds, whites, and rosés. The most up-to-date and comprehensive wine refence in the world, this stunning book is an oenophile's dream--and a must-have for anyone looking to become an expert in wine.
Fully updated and revised for the first time since 2011, this new 800-page edition of Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia reflects the most recent trends in the dynamic world of wine, written by experts around the globe. Beautifully illustrated with more than 400 images and 100 brand-new National Geographic maps, this definitive guide is arranged geographically to highlight the regions and climates that produce the best vintages. From the countries of Southeast Europe to the Eastern Mediterranean, each page is packed with information on flavor notes, vineyard profiles, tasting room guides, grape know-how, and special information on unique varietals. The book also features top wines organized by maker and year; a troubleshooter's guide to potential wine faults; a taste chart to help identify flavors; up-and-coming producers; unusual wines, food pairings, and more. You'll find time lines depicting the chronology of wine from 500 million B.C., expert sommelier tips, and thousands of recommendations for the latest and greatest reds, whites, and rosés. The most up-to-date and comprehensive wine refence in the world, this stunning book is an oenophile's dream--and a must-have for anyone looking to become an expert in wine.
800 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1987
45 people are currently reading
1850 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 16, 2021
Ok, so I don’t even know where to start to tell you how interesting and perfectly illustrated this book is, but I’ll try and do my best.
The New Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopaedia is clearly about everything connected to wines, from which kind of soils are suited to favour the growth of the different varieties to the life cycle of the vines and the anatomy of the vineyards and so on.
The book is divided in 3 main parts: Taste & Quality, Wine Through the Ages and A World of Wine. All those main topics are enriched by fantastic photos and detailed illustrations.
I’ve enjoyed the big portion dedicated to A World of Wine as it’s an extensive “trip” around the globe from my home country Italy to Australia and Chile, and each county’s wine regions are discussed and a list of the best wine producers is included!!!
So as you can read not only this is the perfect coffee table book, but now all I can think about is: let’s pick a country and go to a wine tasting so I can show off my knowledge 😂
But in reality (cause of the restrictions) all I could was cook a nice Carbonara and have a glass of my favourite wine.
The New Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopaedia is clearly about everything connected to wines, from which kind of soils are suited to favour the growth of the different varieties to the life cycle of the vines and the anatomy of the vineyards and so on.
The book is divided in 3 main parts: Taste & Quality, Wine Through the Ages and A World of Wine. All those main topics are enriched by fantastic photos and detailed illustrations.
I’ve enjoyed the big portion dedicated to A World of Wine as it’s an extensive “trip” around the globe from my home country Italy to Australia and Chile, and each county’s wine regions are discussed and a list of the best wine producers is included!!!
So as you can read not only this is the perfect coffee table book, but now all I can think about is: let’s pick a country and go to a wine tasting so I can show off my knowledge 😂
But in reality (cause of the restrictions) all I could was cook a nice Carbonara and have a glass of my favourite wine.
November 11, 2020
If you have started thinking about holiday gifts and have someone on your list who is an oneophile- a connoisseur of wines- The New Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia is the perfect gift.
This is the first new edition in ten years and it couldn't have come at a better time. With the pandemic keeping us close to home, many people have turned to cultivating an interest in wines. (I know that my husband and I have done so.)
The book does a very deep dive in to all things wine. From which types of soil are suited to the different varieties of wine to the life cycle of the vine to an anatomy of wineries and vineyards, you will find everything you ever wanted to know about wines.
The book is divided into three parts- Taste and Quality, Wine Through the Ages, and A World of Wine.
There are fantastic photos and detailed illustrations (how white wine is made, for example), a guide to the various tastes and aromas you should look for when tasting wines, and classic food and wine pairings.
Some of the more interesting things that I found included a discussion of orange wine, something new that I was not familiar with (and am not sure I want to be). The photo of a porrón, a traditional wine decanter/drinking vessel found in Catalunya, Spain, made me smile as our daughter-in-law's parents gifted us one and we have yet to master it.
Our porrón
A large portion of the book is A World of Wine, which goes around the globe from the traditional places like France and Italy to the lesser known ones like Mexico, Australia and China. Each country's different wine regions are discussed, and a list of the great wine producers is included.
This comprehensive and beautiful coffee table book would be a wonderful addition to any oneophile's collection, and at nearly 800 pages, it will give them pleasure for years to come. I highly recommend it.
This is the first new edition in ten years and it couldn't have come at a better time. With the pandemic keeping us close to home, many people have turned to cultivating an interest in wines. (I know that my husband and I have done so.)
The book does a very deep dive in to all things wine. From which types of soil are suited to the different varieties of wine to the life cycle of the vine to an anatomy of wineries and vineyards, you will find everything you ever wanted to know about wines.
The book is divided into three parts- Taste and Quality, Wine Through the Ages, and A World of Wine.
There are fantastic photos and detailed illustrations (how white wine is made, for example), a guide to the various tastes and aromas you should look for when tasting wines, and classic food and wine pairings.
Some of the more interesting things that I found included a discussion of orange wine, something new that I was not familiar with (and am not sure I want to be). The photo of a porrón, a traditional wine decanter/drinking vessel found in Catalunya, Spain, made me smile as our daughter-in-law's parents gifted us one and we have yet to master it.
Our porrón
A large portion of the book is A World of Wine, which goes around the globe from the traditional places like France and Italy to the lesser known ones like Mexico, Australia and China. Each country's different wine regions are discussed, and a list of the great wine producers is included.
This comprehensive and beautiful coffee table book would be a wonderful addition to any oneophile's collection, and at nearly 800 pages, it will give them pleasure for years to come. I highly recommend it.
June 22, 2021
Truly one of the best books I've had the pleasure to read and browse through consistently, over the past several months. With the ebb and flow of pandemic driven lockdowns being somewhat of a constant reality over the past year, this title, with its stunning full-color gorgeous presentation, provided just the right amount of "conversational kindling" for my wife and I over many evenings spent enjoying a fine glass of Sherry.
An elegant artistic creation in every sense of the word, The New Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia's 800-page in-depth discourse on the fascinating world of wine, comprehensively covers the detailed behind-the-scenes processes that form the structure of this phenomenal $364 billion industry. Everything, from discussing the top wine producers, the winemaking process, and up & coming new players in the field to storage tips and fine wine collection/investment recommendations, are included. Each chapter provides a wonderful nugget of informative insight with every turn of the page. This is one title that does not disappoint!!...the reader will be quite happy upon reflection with their decision to purchase this text.
Plain and simple, the book is great!! And would be an excellent addition to any wine lover or wine enthusiast wine library. I highly recommend giving it a read to any and all who truly enjoys the fascinating and fun world of wine.
An elegant artistic creation in every sense of the word, The New Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia's 800-page in-depth discourse on the fascinating world of wine, comprehensively covers the detailed behind-the-scenes processes that form the structure of this phenomenal $364 billion industry. Everything, from discussing the top wine producers, the winemaking process, and up & coming new players in the field to storage tips and fine wine collection/investment recommendations, are included. Each chapter provides a wonderful nugget of informative insight with every turn of the page. This is one title that does not disappoint!!...the reader will be quite happy upon reflection with their decision to purchase this text.
Plain and simple, the book is great!! And would be an excellent addition to any wine lover or wine enthusiast wine library. I highly recommend giving it a read to any and all who truly enjoys the fascinating and fun world of wine.
January 1, 2021
My Highly Caffeinated Thought: This book is the perfect combination of beautiful photos, useful maps, and an amazing breadth of information about wine.
Let us just start simply with the fact that The SOTHEBYS WINE ENCYCLOPEDIA is a book packed with information. From the regions to the makers, to the years the wines were produced, anything you could want to know about wine is in this encyclopedia. Then you add to it the stunning photos and intricate maps to have a must-have for any wine enthusiast.
Now, I have been drinking wine for most of my adult life, but I would never classify myself as an expert. This is why a book like this is so perfect. You don't have to be a sommelier or an authority on the bouquet of this wine or that to enjoy this book. I am sure that it could be a valuable resource to someone who is in the industry, but you can just open it to any page and learn about the history or find tips for choosing a wine.
All in all this a perfect coffee table book for those who are in the know, who want to learn how to be an oenophile, or who just like big books about wine. I know I do!
Reviewer Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from TLC Book Tours and the publisher for an honest review.
Let us just start simply with the fact that The SOTHEBYS WINE ENCYCLOPEDIA is a book packed with information. From the regions to the makers, to the years the wines were produced, anything you could want to know about wine is in this encyclopedia. Then you add to it the stunning photos and intricate maps to have a must-have for any wine enthusiast.
Now, I have been drinking wine for most of my adult life, but I would never classify myself as an expert. This is why a book like this is so perfect. You don't have to be a sommelier or an authority on the bouquet of this wine or that to enjoy this book. I am sure that it could be a valuable resource to someone who is in the industry, but you can just open it to any page and learn about the history or find tips for choosing a wine.
All in all this a perfect coffee table book for those who are in the know, who want to learn how to be an oenophile, or who just like big books about wine. I know I do!
Reviewer Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from TLC Book Tours and the publisher for an honest review.
June 10, 2017
This is a very comprehensive reference on the various wines and wine regions of the world. I enjoy referring to this when I try new wines or when I'd like to explore new regions. It has great maps with the regions and good historical context. I'm very glad I purchased this.
November 30, 2018
I haven't read the whole thing, but it was a necessary reference when I was studying for the Court of Master Sommeliers introductory exam, and I still love to pull it out today, read about a region and dream of romantic places far away.
January 6, 2018
The standard for wine knowledge, but very difficult to read. Too much focus on Bordeaux.
March 1, 2021
Everything you’ve wanted to know about wine including wood and barrel makers. Definitely a reference or if you’re studying to be a sommelier
July 4, 2021
Vos pradėjus skaityti - pradėjo erzinti, dėl to kartais, kai kurioms amerikiečių knygoms būdingo - oi, koks aš geriausias ir kaip aš čia dabar Jums visiems papasakosiu! Tai, kaip ir nėra blogas bruožas, tačiau lietuviams linkusiems į savikritiką jis vis dar sunkiai įsisavinamas. Tiesa vėliau, viskas dėliojasi tikros enciklopedijos pagrindu ir tik kur ne kur pramuša autoriaus asmeninis vertinimas (na bet turint tokią patirtį vyno pasaulyje ir rašyme apie vyną - gali sau tai leisti).
Informatyvi knyga, kurią reiks vis kaskart atsiversti nusipirkus vyno butelį. Tiesa ją atsiversti galima ir prieš perkant. Asmeniškai praplėčiau žinias apie vynuogių veisles, jų auginimo teroir, kvapus, derinimą. Ir be abejo vyndarius, vyndarius. Klasifikacija ir vertinimas žvaigždutėmis gali būti šališki, tačiau išsamiai pagrindžiant, o svarbiausia išbandžius daugelį iš vertinamų vynų, šališkumas tarsi ištirpsta.
Besidomintiems vynu, tikrai verta susipažinti!
Informatyvi knyga, kurią reiks vis kaskart atsiversti nusipirkus vyno butelį. Tiesa ją atsiversti galima ir prieš perkant. Asmeniškai praplėčiau žinias apie vynuogių veisles, jų auginimo teroir, kvapus, derinimą. Ir be abejo vyndarius, vyndarius. Klasifikacija ir vertinimas žvaigždutėmis gali būti šališki, tačiau išsamiai pagrindžiant, o svarbiausia išbandžius daugelį iš vertinamų vynų, šališkumas tarsi ištirpsta.
Besidomintiems vynu, tikrai verta susipažinti!
January 1, 2008
Again, another textbook that should've been used in culinary school. This photo-illustrated (DK Publishing rocks!) encyclopedia on all things oenophile contains every AVA, DOC, DOCG, DO, VQA and everything in between.
March 27, 2009
This is an impressive, dense tome that I use for reference. Now I am reading it like I mean it for a class. Ugh. It's a heavy one.
I learned a lot from this one. A little dry but not for a lack of information.
I learned a lot from this one. A little dry but not for a lack of information.
December 5, 2010
A Christmas treat to myself because I want to find out more about the vino. And, by the look of it, if it isn’t in this book, it’s not worth knowing. Massive and impressive, a book for a lifetime’s study.
August 11, 2016
Hard to say one has actually "read" thisbook. One browses through it. One of several "comprehensive' guides, but this one includes excellent maps, and drills down to specific appellation, with lots of detail on each one.
Outstanding reference. The 1997 edition is dated - go for the 2007.
Outstanding reference. The 1997 edition is dated - go for the 2007.
March 11, 2017
An incredibly rich, informative and readable guide on wine. It's also filled with fabulous geography lessons. I've read and reread bits and pieces of this since it was published and I think it is a great investment for anyone who wants to learn about wine.
April 6, 2007
Very comprehensive and a little complex, but deffinately covers everything.
August 25, 2007
An essential book for every student of wine, easy to navigate and engagingly written by Stevenson.
May 24, 2008
I now know enough about French wine to not be intimidated by entire sections of wine list. Or snotty sommeliers.
June 30, 2008
Essential. Mandatory. Indispensable.
August 8, 2008
The definitive wine education tool. Great maps, too.
December 4, 2010
Great reference book. I keep it on hand and refer to it often.
September 28, 2008
Reading latest revised edition. More typos this time than I remember (?) in Fourth Edition before revision. Maybe I didn't read as closely. Keeping errata list.
August 19, 2009
best wine book ever.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews